Prior to the announcement this spring that the state will receive federal stimulus money, the University was preparing to cut $66.5 million from its FY10 budget that begins July 1. The stimulus money that is sent to the state and allocated to higher education will be used to put off that budget reduction for two years. Because the stimulus money is one-time funding, the University's efforts to streamline and make cuts where possible and appropriate is ongoing.
The stimulus funding allows us to delay budget-related layoffs. It allows us time to plan them carefully and possibly use attrition -- not replacing employees who leave or retire -- and eliminating vacant positions to reduce our work force in anticipation of a leaner budget structure two years from now. Filled positions targeted for elimination can be transitioned to stimulus funding to allow employees to remain on the payroll for up to two years.
As appropriate and pending determination of plans, supervisors will talk to affected employees.
No tenured faculty positions are among the reductions in force currently under review. That could change if departments or programs are discontinued, but there is a separate process in place for determining discontinuance.
Program review will continue as we continue seeking economies of scale and streamline to become more efficient.
To view the list of programs approved for consolidation or discontinuance, click here.
No. The proposal was reviewed, but it was determined there is not enough information to know the impact it would have on student behavior. For now, full-time students will continue to be charged flat tuition.
The UT Board of Trustees approved tuition increases at all campuses for Fall 2009. To read more about the approved budget and tuition increases, click here.
Most gifts to the University are restricted by donors to be used for certain programs or purposes. Donations are critical to fund areas of excellence that would not be possible otherwise.
The athletics department at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, receives no state funding, and its budget is separate from the academic budget. No tax dollars are involved in the UT Knoxville athletics budget. The athletics department operates in a highly competitive environment and makes decisions in consideration of competition at the highest levels while maintaining profitability.
The athletics department demonstrates its support of the University and the community through a variety of ways. Last year, the athletics program contributed more than $26.4 million to the University. For instance, athletics gave $1.4 million for scholarships for non-athletes and $1.1 million in debt service to parking garages on campus. In addition, athletics spent $7.5 million on scholarships for student-athletes and $9.2 million on facilities and utilities. Over the next 15 years, athletics has committed to providing $1 million each year from the Southeastern Conference television contract to the UT Knoxville campus for the Student Success Center, the Tennessee Teaching and Learning Center and graduate student assistantships.
Funding for capital projects is approved years in advance and allocated for those specific projects. The money cannot be used for operating expenses or held back for other uses.
Every area of the University is expected to reduce costs, including administration. While the UT System administration has cut 10.3 percent from its budget, administrative oversight to ensure effective and efficient operation is necessary for an organization as complex as UT.
Faculty and staff can send suggestions and comments to the President via UTALK. Suggestions also are forwarded to the Board of Trustees' Effectiveness and Efficiency for the Future Committee. Throughout the budget process, faculty and staff have been represented.
No pay raises are planned.
Experts' opinions vary. The University is planning on the recovery taking at least three years.
Human resource policies address that situation. Because University benefits are provided by the State, UT does not have the flexibility to independently adjust benefits. If two employees share a single position, the following would occur:
Those options are being considered, as are all the suggestions we received through UTALK and other mechanisms for soliciting input from faculty, students and staff.
